If you’re staying in Nagoya and wondering whether Okazaki is worth visiting, I’d say yes, especially if you like Japanese history, castles and quieter places that don’t feel overrun with tourists.
I visited recently and spent a few hours around Okazaki Castle and the surrounding park. For most people, I think two to four hours in Okazaki is about right, which makes it a very easy half-day trip from Nagoya.
The castle itself isn’t one of Japan’s great original castles. It’s a reconstruction and it’s fairly small. But that’s only part of the appeal.
The park is peaceful, there are several places connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu, there’s a moat, a shrine, a Noh theatre, a museum, places to eat and plenty of shaded areas to walk around.
And from Nagoya, it’s only around 30 minutes away on the faster Meitetsu trains.
How Long Do You Need in Okazaki?
I’d allow around two to four hours for the castle and surrounding area.
If you only want to visit Okazaki Castle and have a quick walk around the park, you could do it faster.
But I wouldn’t rush it.
Part of the appeal is wandering around the grounds, stopping at the various Ieyasu-related places, having something to eat and enjoying the fact that it isn’t particularly busy.
If you also want to visit one of the Hatcho miso producers, you can obviously stay longer.
But for most people coming from Nagoya, I think Okazaki works best as a half-day trip.
How to Get From Nagoya to Okazaki Castle
If you’re visiting the castle, go to Higashi-Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line.
Don’t head to JR Okazaki Station just because it’s called Okazaki Station.
JR Okazaki is much farther away from the castle and isn’t the most convenient station for the main sightseeing area.
Most visitors will probably leave from Meitetsu Nagoya Station, although you can also catch the same line from places such as Kanayama, Jingumae and Horita.
I actually worked in Okazaki for about six months back around 2000, so I used to make this journey regularly. The city has changed a lot since then, especially around Higashi-Okazaki Station.
Make Sure You Get the Right Train
You want one of the faster Meitetsu services rather than a local train that stops at every station.
The quickest trains take roughly 30 minutes from Nagoya to Higashi-Okazaki.
You don’t need reserved seating for this trip. Just check the departure board and make sure the train stops at Higashi-Okazaki.
Meitetsu Nagoya Station can look a little confusing if you’ve never used it before, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
Walking From Higashi-Okazaki Station to the Castle
From Higashi-Okazaki Station, it’s a short walk to the castle and it’s very well signposted.
You can even see the castle in the distance from parts of the route, so it’s quite easy to keep heading in the right direction.
You cross the Otogawa River and then walk along the side of it towards the castle.
We went on a sunny day and it was a really pleasant walk.
Before you reach the park, you’ll pass through part of central Okazaki where there are shops, restaurants and bars.
But once you get closer to the castle, it becomes quieter and greener.
You go through some peaceful grounds before reaching the main castle area.
Why Is Okazaki Castle Important?
The main reason Okazaki matters historically is Tokugawa Ieyasu.
He was born at Okazaki Castle in 1542 and later returned to use Okazaki as his base while strengthening his position in Mikawa.
If you’ve travelled around Japan for any length of time, you’ll keep coming across his name.
Ieyasu eventually founded the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan for more than 250 years.
So although the castle you see today is a reconstruction, the site itself is genuinely important.
This is where an important part of Ieyasu’s story began.
Is Okazaki Castle Original?
No.
The present castle tower is a reconstruction.
The castle itself was demolished during the Meiji period and the current tower was rebuilt in 1959.
If your main interest is seeing an original Japanese castle, you need to know that before you come.
And the castle itself isn’t huge.
I’ve been to a lot of castles in Japan and I wouldn’t put Okazaki among the most impressive purely as a castle.
That’s not really why I’d come here.
The history and the surrounding grounds are what make it interesting.
Going Inside Okazaki Castle
Entrance to Okazaki Castle is 300 yen for an adult.
You can also pay 650 yen for a combined ticket that includes the nearby Mikawa Bushi and Ieyasu Museum.
The museum is optional.
If you’re very interested in Tokugawa history, it probably makes sense to get the combined ticket.
If not, paying 300 yen for the castle is enough.
Inside, you work your way up through several floors of displays before reaching the top.
Most of the information is in Japanese.
There is some English, but not a huge amount.
Once you reach the top, you can walk around outside and get views over Okazaki.
We spent a bit of time taking pictures up there.
It’s worth doing, but you probably aren’t going to spend hours inside the castle itself.
Exploring Okazaki Castle Park
I actually enjoyed walking around the castle grounds as much as going inside the tower.
There are shaded paths, trees, parts of the moat, small landscaped areas and a number of places connected to Ieyasu.
You can take your time, stop for photographs and walk around without feeling that you’re constantly in somebody else’s way.
Places Connected to Tokugawa Ieyasu
There are several spots around the grounds associated with Ieyasu.
One is a well said to have supplied water used for his first bath after he was born.
There are also various monuments and statues around the park.
These don’t take long to see individually, but together they make the area feel much more historically significant than if you simply walked into the reconstructed castle and left again.
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Testament
One of the things I photographed was a stone monument containing a famous set of teachings attributed to Ieyasu.
It’s titled Ieyasu-kō Yuigon, or Lord Ieyasu’s Testament.
A natural English translation is:
A person’s life is like travelling a long road while carrying a heavy burden. Do not hurry.
Accept inconvenience as part of life and you will not feel dissatisfied.
When desire arises, remember the times when you suffered.
Patience is the foundation of lasting peace. Regard anger as your enemy.
If you know only victory and never know defeat, harm will eventually come to you.
Blame yourself rather than blaming others.
It is better to fall short than to go too far.
I wouldn’t describe these as his literal final spoken words, but they are commonly presented as his testament or teachings.
And things like this are one of the reasons I’d spend some time exploring the grounds rather than treating the castle tower as the whole attraction.
Tatsuki Shrine
Tatsuki Shrine is right beside the castle.
You can easily include it while walking around the park.
It doesn’t require any planning or extra time and fits naturally into the route around the grounds.
The Noh Theatre
There’s also an outdoor Noh theatre inside the park.
You may not see a performance while you’re there, but it’s worth having a quick look.
Again, it’s another reason not to think of Okazaki as just one small reconstructed castle.
Mikawa Bushi and Ieyasu Museum
The Mikawa Bushi and Ieyasu Museum is behind the castle.
It goes much deeper into Ieyasu, the Mikawa samurai and the military history of the period.
The combined castle and museum ticket is 650 yen for adults.
I wouldn’t say everybody has to do it.
But if history is one of the main reasons you’ve come to Okazaki, it’s worth considering.
Eating Around Okazaki Castle
There are also several places to eat in and around the castle area.
We had miso katsu while we were there.
The sauce is thick, dark and very rich.
Aichi is known for its red miso, and Okazaki is particularly famous for Hatcho miso.
You can also find things such as gohei-mochi, local snacks and matcha ice cream around the castle grounds.
It was nice being able to stop and eat without having to leave the park area.
What About Hatcho Miso?
If miso interests you, you can extend your visit by heading to the traditional Hatcho miso area west of the castle.
Two long-established producers, Kakukyu and Maruya, are based close to each other.
They use huge wooden barrels, with heavy piles of stones placed on top while the miso matures.
It’s interesting, but I wouldn’t make this essential unless food production or miso is something you particularly want to see.
For me, the castle, park and Ieyasu history are the main reasons to visit.
Is Okazaki Busy?
It wasn’t when we went.
There were tourists, but nowhere near the numbers you’d see at the major sights in Kyoto or Tokyo.
That was part of what I liked about it.
Okazaki felt calm and easy.
Obviously, it can be busier during festivals, holidays and cherry blossom season.
Is Okazaki Worth Visiting During Cherry Blossom Season?
If you’re in Nagoya around late March or early April, Okazaki becomes even more attractive.
The castle park and nearby rivers are known for their cherry blossoms.
The castle surrounded by blossom is one of the best-known views of the area.
It does get much busier then, though.
So if you prefer somewhere quieter, visiting outside peak cherry blossom season may suit you better.
My Suggested Half-Day Trip to Okazaki
I wouldn’t overcomplicate it.
Take the Meitetsu line to Higashi-Okazaki.
Walk across the Otogawa towards the castle.
Spend some time exploring the park before or after going inside the tower.
Visit Okazaki Castle.
Walk around the shrine, Ieyasu-related sites, Noh theatre and other parts of the grounds.
Have some local food.
Add the museum if the history particularly interests you.
Then head back to Higashi-Okazaki and return to Nagoya.
If Hatcho miso is a big interest, add the miso area afterwards.
Is Okazaki Castle Worth Visiting?
Yes, with the right expectations.
Okazaki Castle isn’t one of Japan’s biggest castles and the present tower isn’t original.
If you judge it purely on the castle building, there are more impressive castles in Japan.
But that’s only part of the visit.
I enjoyed the grounds, the history and the quieter atmosphere more than I expected.
Once you understand that Ieyasu was born here and later used Okazaki as the base from which he strengthened his position in Mikawa, the place makes much more sense.
Is Okazaki a Good Half-Day Trip From Nagoya?
Yes.
And I think half a day is exactly how I’d recommend doing it.
It’s close enough to Nagoya that you don’t lose half the day travelling.
The castle is easy to reach from Higashi-Okazaki Station.
You can comfortably see the main sights in two to four hours.
And it’s quiet enough that the trip doesn’t feel tiring.
If you like Japanese history, have already spent some time in Nagoya and want somewhere easy to visit without a huge amount of planning, Okazaki is a very good choice.
My Verdict
I think Okazaki works really well as a half-day trip from Nagoya.
The castle itself is small.
But once you include the park, the Ieyasu history, the shrine, the museum, the river walk and some local food, there’s enough here for a very pleasant few hours.
Take the Meitetsu line to Higashi-Okazaki rather than JR Okazaki.
Give yourself two to four hours.
And if the weather is good, take your time walking around the grounds rather than treating the castle tower as the whole attraction.
For somewhere only around 30 minutes from Nagoya, I’d definitely recommend it.
